Thinking of buying, 1988 26.5

[Scott Grenlund]

I am thinking about purchasing a 1988 26.5. I have a dinghy sailing background, but am looking to move up. Is this a reasonable first keelboat? The boat is well priced with a good sail inventory, and is in great shape. Are there any trouble spots where I should be looking for problems? Hull, outboard, blisters, leaky portlights/hatches, etc. I was told that she was quite competative in the local beercan racing series with a 140% genoa and fractional kite. What experience do others have racing. I live near a full service Catalina dealer, and would spend most of my time competing against midsize Catalinas. I have read other postings about the low boom height, is this a real issue, or not? The boat I am looking at hasn't been rigged or in the water in at least 3 seasons. I would appreciate any and all input. Thanks for your time.

 

[Clayton]

Buy That Boat!

Scott,We bought a 1986 model 26.5 earlier this year and we love it. If the boat is priced right, you definately can't go wrong. The boat is fast and I have found it to be very stable. The guys I race with here in Colorado convinced me to buy the boat as many of them had raced on 26.5's in the past. From what I have seen, the 26.5 will smoke a similarly sized Catalina on the race course. With a wing keel, you will not be able to point as high as a fin keel Catalina, but you will be faster and be able to stay ahead of them. My boat came with two year old North full batten main, jib, genoa, and spinnaker along with the original sails. If you like, send me an e-mail at clayton.fawcett@lafarge-na.com. I would be happy to share any info that you want to know. Our boat has not had any leaks or any hull blisters. I have not found the boom height to be a problem either. Lower boom = more sail to go fast with... The only thing that you will have to learn to deal with is the outboard being off center and turning the boat when you apply power in either forward or reverse.

 

[Jude Dippold]

Hunter 26.5

Scott,I come from a small boat background as well (Force 5s) and took the plunge and bought a 1987 26.5 at the beginning of this season. My purpose in buying the boat was to use it to cruise,and I have put quite a few miles on it already. I am extremely pleased with it. While no two boats are alike, I find that the 26.5 is extremely fast, especially upwind. I fly a 155 Genoa and the main, although I think a 135 might be plenty. On Lake Erie, I find myself having to spill excess wind at times with the 155 or furl it in a bit to keep the boat on an efficient heel. The boat's mast and rigging design are ideally suited for racing if that's your thing. It's no longer mine.As for the boom, it is low, but if anyone would complain about a low boom it should be a cruiser, but I have no complaints; it just demands care when sailing. Make sure all on board are attentive to it.I have minor leak, which I suspect is either a through-hull fitting or a bad spot in the deck-hull joint. I expect to have that dealt with shortly. The off-center motor hasn't been much of a problem, in fact I find it barely noticeable and easily compensated for. Take care before you plunge into adjusting your standing rigging, because of the mast pre-bend, it's a bit more complicated than many boats. Make haste slowly in that regard.All in all, the boat has many attributes, not the least of which is its seaworthiness. Bringing the boat from Buffalo NY to Erie PA, we encountered 20 knot winds with gusts to 29 and 4 to 6 foot waves. The boat handled those elemenets with grace, especially if one was willing to keep the mainsheet uncleated and ready to adjust as all good dinghy sailors do.Judejdippold@penn.com